DRUGS AND THEIR DOSES. 91 



twenty grains in eight ounces of distilled water frequently effects a 

 cure. It is a common mistake to use lotions of sugar of lead much too 

 strong. The country farrier seems generally to act on the belief that if a 

 little of any drug does good, a large quantity will do more. 



Solution of Subacetate of Lead, commonly called Goulard's Extract, 

 is used in a diluted form ; thus, Goulard's Extract two drachms, rectified 

 spirits of wine half an ounce, to distilled water one pint. This is known 

 as Goulard's Lotion ; it is used externally for the same purposes as sugar 

 of lead. 



Linseed. Oil. — A mild laxative dose, a pint and a half ; it is a convenient 

 medium for giving turpentine. 



Mercury. — There are several preparations of mercury which require 

 mention. 



Iodides of Mercury are two compounds of iodine and mercury 

 in use in veterinary practice known as the green iodide, and the 

 red iodide ; and it is the latter, which is much the stronger, and that is 

 used in horse practice. The difference must be kept distinctly in mind, 

 as the iodide being used as an application for red mange on the dog, the 

 substitution of the biniodide, as in a case which recently came under my 

 notice, might kill the dog ; and if the iodide were used instead of 

 biniodide for the horse, it would be ineffective. The iodide and the ointment 

 made with it is always a dull green or a dirty yellow ; the biniodide and 

 its ointment are, more or less, bright red. The red iodide of mercury oint- 

 ment is used as a blister and counter irritant, but its special value consists 

 in the power it has in facilitating absorption, and thereby reducing 

 abnormal growth, such as splents, curbs, spavins, hardened tumours, &c. 

 It is made by mixing one part of the biniodide with seven parts 

 of lard or spermaceti ointment, and it should be applied with friction daily 

 for a considerable time ; but it is necessary to stop its application 

 for a few days when an eruption appears and tenderness of the part has 

 been produced. 



Bichloride of Mercury, or Corrosive Sublimate, is a still 

 more active, powerful, and dangerous drug than calomel. Indeed, it 

 comes into the category of "deadly poisons; " but of nothing more 

 than of drugs can it be truly said "familiarity breeds contempt." 

 Once whilst enjoying a cup of Barland perry in the kitchen of a west 

 country farm,- the servant accidentally knocked something off the 

 mantelshelf, which, falling on the hearthstone, was shivered into 

 thousands of pieces which glistened like atoms of ice. The something 

 was corrosive sublimate, enough to poison every person in the parish, yet 

 it had been allowed to lie about with other odds and ends. This is an 

 instance of a sadly too common practice ; I think the use of poisons 

 should be discouraged, and non-poisonous articles substituted for them 

 whenever possible. I do not think there is a single purpose in the 

 stable or the farm to which this very popular, but extremely dangerous, 

 article is put that cannot be aa well or better accomplished by non- 



